A Guide to Printable Gift Certificates

You probably usually buy your gift certificates in-store, or get them mailed to you from an online purchase. But if you’re in a hurry and would like to get something quickly and easily, consider the options available to you in printable gift certificates. Many leading retailers offer them, and you can be off and running in just a few minutes if you have access to a printer. Let’s think about why they’d work for you, and how to get the most out of them.

Why You Could Use Some

Most people tend to procrastinate on gift-buying, even for the most important people in their lives. Chances are, if you’re like most Americans, you’re not finished till a few days before Christmas. That’s when it hits you that you’ve forgotten somebody or somebodies you really shouldn’t have forgotten, like the mail carrier, an employee, or a brother-in-law.

That’s when time’s most of a factor, and it’s where printable gift certificates will come in handiest to you. Just point, click, and print, and an envelope later you’ll have a perfectly serviceable gift. It only takes a few minutes, and can make all the difference when it comes to getting your Netflix on time or having your sister not be mad at you for six months.

Where to Find Them

There a number of places you can find great printable gift certificates on the fly: try Amazon, which has a wide selection and reliable service, or try a more cutting edge approach by sending an electronic one at Icardgiftcard.com. If you’re looking for something easy and popular, try the restaurant gift cards available at Restaurant.com. They have some great offers that can save you a lot of money – and keep everyone happy when they get them.

Things to Watch Out For

Retailers tend to aggressively market their gift certificates with the understanding that getting someone in the door will net them more profit. People don’t tend to want to leave money on a card, but since it’s pretty hard to meet the total exactly, customers will often spend more than they expected. In fact, the research shows a dramatic trend in that direction, so statistically your gift certificate is costing the recipient some money.

To offset this, make sure the gift you choose is compatible with the person you’re giving it to. It’s best if they would be shopping there anyway, and this is just saving them some money. If they go there for the first time because of the gift card, they might be annoyed that they have to spend money on something they don’t particularly want. So if you don’t know the recipient that well, try to go with something popular and well-respected to hedge your bets.

Conclusion

Printable gift certificates are an elegant way of picking up some last minute gifts that will please – and you won’t have to do much to get them. Just keep in mind what’s available to you, and use your best judgment before you click print.

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